Acetylene generator



G. H. ZOUCK AND R. F. RUSSELL.

ACETYLENE GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8. I919.

1,431,,Q77. Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

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AGETYLENE GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-8,1919.

Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

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G. H. ZOUCK AND R. F. RUSSELL.

ACETYLENE GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8, 1919.

1 431 ,Q7? Patented Oct, 3, 1922..

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Fatented (let. 3,

GEORGE H. ZO'UCK. @F ORANGE, AND RICHARD F. RUSSELL, E JERSEYCITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO AIR REDUCTION COMPANY, 111%, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ACETYLENE GENERATOR.

Application filed November 8, 1919.

To oZZ whom it may concern Be it known that we, GEORGE H. ZOUOK and RICHARD RUSSELL, residing at Orange, county of Essex, New Jersey, and Jersey City, county of Hudson, New Jersey, respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in llrcetylene Generators; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertams to make and use the same.

This invention relates to acetylene generators and has for its general object, the provision of an improved motor to actuate the carbide 'leeding mechanism thereof.

it further object of our invention is the provision of a sensitive controlling device for the motor and the elimination of gas pockets therein, thus insuring delivery of gas at a substantially uniform pressure.

Further objects of our invention are the provision of an arrangement, whereby opening of the motor casing is prevented until the generator has been vented to permit the escape oi gas remaining therein, ot' a novel connection between the motor and carbide feeding mechanism, and of a simple starting device for the motor.

Other objects and advantages of the invention reside in the various combinations as hereinafter described and claimed as will be better understood by reference to the following specification, when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which,

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the motor and a portion of the generator, the latter being broken away to illustrate the carbide feeding mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the structure illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a detail in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

As gas propelled motor for acetylene generators has been illustrated and described in the application of Richard F. Russell, Serial No. 292,631, filed April 25, 1919, and our present invention relates to a motor of this type and contemplates certain improvements therein, whereby the efiiciency of the motor is increased and its operation is more sensitively controlled to substantially eliminate variations in the pressure of the effluent Referring to the drawing, 5 indicates the fierial No. 336,542.

shell of an acetylene generator having a feed table 6 to which carbide is delivered from a hopper (not shown). The carbide is forced from the table 6 by a rotating sweep 7, driven, through bevel gears 8 and 9, by a shaft 10 which is supported in suitable bearings 11 beneath the table 6. The shaft 10 is connected to a sleeve 12 which is slidably supported in a. bearing 13 formed in a motor bracket 14. The bracket 14 is secured to the shell 5 01' the generator. An arm 15 pivoted at 16 on the bracket 14, and having an operating handle 17 connected thereto and disposed outside the bracket, engages and is adapted to move the sleeve 12 into and out of engagement with the end of the shatt 10. The sleeve 12 is driven by a, shaft 19, journaled in a bearing- 20 which is formed in a. motor casing 21, secured to and supported on the bracket 14. Av gear 22 is secured to the shaft 19, within the motor casing 21, and meshes with a pinion 23 on a spindle shaft 2-1, which rotates in pivot bearings 25 and 26 in the casing 21., and supports an impeller wheel 27.

1 he hearing 26 is disposed within a clutch sleeve 27, having a head 28 adapted to be grasped by the operator, a spring 29 being disposed between the bearing 26 and the head 28. The inner end of the sleeve 27 is provided with clutch teeth 30 adapted to mesh with cooperating teeth 31 on the impeller wheel 27, when the sleeve is pressed inward against the tension of the spring 29.

The operator is thus enabled to convey an impulse to the impeller wheel at the commencement of the operation. A gland S2 surrounds the sleeve 27 to prevent the escape of liquid with which the casing 21 is filled.

Below the impeller wheel chamber the easing 21 is provided with a chamber 33 to which gas is delivered, from the generator shell through a pipe 341-, to which, preferably, a pressure indicator 35 is connected. An opening 36 normally permits the escape of from the chamber 33 to the impeller wheel chamber where it causes the impeller wheel 27 to rotate and thus, through the connections described, impart movement to the sweep 7. The chamber 33 is closed at its bottom by a metal diaphragm 37 carrying a thrust piece 88 at its center. A spring 39 is arranged within a housing 40 beneath the diaphragm 37 and bears at one end against the thrust piece 38, the other end being supported on a collar 4C1 at the end of a screw 42, which is threadedly mounted in the housing 40, and is provided. with an operating handle l3, permitting adjustment of the tension transmitted by the spring 39 to the diaphragm 37.

A stem 44 is supported in the thrust piece 38 and projects into the chamber 33 in which it has a pivotal connection 4:5 with a 416. Lever 46 is pivoted at l7 on a support 48 secured to the housing ll). The free end of the lever 46 is pivotally connected at 49 to a valve stem 50, the upper end of which is slidably supported in a guide 51 forming a part of the valve seat 52. A valve 53 on the stem cooperates with the valve seat 52 and normally closes an outlet through the valve seat 52 to a by-pass 54: extending about the impeller wheel chamber and adapted to permit gas to pass through the motor wit-1r out actuating the impeller wheel 27.

Normally the valve 53 is seated and gas, entering the chamber 33 through the pipe 34:, passes through the opening 36 into the impeller wheel chamber and operates agains' the vanes of the impeller wheel 27 to cause rotation thereof. lVhen the pressure in the chamber 33 exceeds a predetermined maxi mum, as When gas is being generated faster than it is being utilized, the diaphragm 37 is flexed, and, because of its connection with the diaphragm, the valve 53 is carried away from its seat, thus permitting gas to bypass about the impeller wheel, which accordingly slows down, or comes to rest, thereby limiting the amount of carbide ted to the generator until the pressure is restored. @bviously, by adjustment of the screw 42, the tension of the spring 39, and consequently of the pressure at which the valve 53 is openel, may be varied.

It will be here noted that the stem 4A: is connected to the lever L6 closely adjacent its pivot, and that the ratio between the two arms of the lever is such that a relatively slight movement of the diaphragm is translated into a much greater movement of the valve 53. The valve 53 is thus rendered eX- tremely sensitive, its action being substantially instantaneous to permit gas to by-pass at the moment the pressure exceeds the predetermined maximum. As soon as the pressure drops, the diaphragm, and consequently the valve 53, responds, and the valve is im mediately closed. The shape of the chamber 33 is such with relation to the outlets therefrom, that no pockets are formed in which gas may accumulate and continue to pass into the impeller wheel chamber when the valve 53 is open. Thus, the pressure of the gas issuing from, the chamber is held substantially uniform throughout the operation of the generator, which is a material advantage.

The gas arriving at the upper end of the lever impeller wheel chamber through the chamher or byaass 5%, passes through an orifice surrounded by a valve seat 56. A valve 57 is supported on the valve seat and is provided with a stem 58 slidable in a guide 59, forming a part of the valve seat. This valve is adapted to prevent the return of gas to the impeller wheel chamber, should the pressure at the outlet from the motor exceed the pressure therein. A housing 60 is provided above the valve 57 and encloses separator plates 61 and 62, the former directing the gas against the latter so that the major portion of the moisture carried by the gas is separated. The motor is filled with. liquid, such as water, to the level indicated at 63 above the plate 61, a filling opening 64: being provided in the motor casing 21 and being normally closed by a threaded plug 65.

From the space above the plate 62, the gas is delivered through an opening 66 controlled by a cook 67, which is, actuated through a stem 68 by a handle 69. When the cook 67 is in open position, the gas passes to a chamber 70 which is preferably filled with goats hair or similar material, the hair being held in position by screens 71. After passing the upper screen 71, the gas is conveyed to the delivery'pipe 7 2 through which it escapes and is distributed for use.

he end of the delivery pipe 72 is disposed within a diaphragm chamber 73, formed by a housing 74-, and having a diaphragm 75 which is maintained under tension by a spring 76. The tension of the spring be adjusted by means 01"" a screw 77, which is locked after adjustment by a nut 73, a cap 79 being disposed above the nut to prevent tampering therewith, A valve 30 is secured to the diaphragm 75 and is adapted to engage a valve seat 81 to pre vent escape of gas to a vent pipe 82 secured to the housing 74: and communicating with the space beneath the valve. The purpose of the valve is to vent the gas whenever the pressure in the delivery line exceeds the amount determined by the tension of the spring 7 As the pressure rises, the diaphragm 75 is flexed and the valve 30 is accordingly lifted from its seat to permit the passage of gas to the pipe 82. A pipe 83 is connected to the housing 7 above the diaphragm 7 5 to vent the gas should the diaphragm 7 5 burst. It is desirable that the valve be lifted from its seat momentarily from time to time to insure that it is operating properly and accordingly, a stem 84: is connected thereto and passes through a stufiing box 85 in the end of the housing 74. An adjustable screw 86 is provided in the end of the stem 8d and is disposed in the path of a cam 87 on the operating handle 69. Thus whenever the cook 67 is operated the cam 87 engages the screw 86 and opens the valve 80. The valve is immediately closed by the pressure of the spring 76 on the diaphragm 75. V

It is necessary from time to time to renew the material in the chamber and accordingly the upper end of the housing 60 is closed by a cap 88, which is preferably pro- 'vided with depending lugs 89 engaging the upper screen 71. The cap is held in closed position by an arm 90 pivoted at 91 on the housing 60 and engaged by a bolt 91 pivoted at 92 and having a nut 93 at its end. When the nut 93 is screwed tightly against the arm 90, the cover 88 is securely held in closed position. Obviously, should the cover 88 be removed while the motor is in operation, a volume of inflammable gas would be released to the atmosphere. To prevent this contingency, we provide a locking arm 94, pivoted at 95 on the housing 60, one end of which is adapted to embrace the nut 93 to prevent removal thereof. The other end is connected to a link 96 to an arm 97 on the stem 68, so that when the stem is rotated to open the cook 67, the locking arm is caused to engage the nut 93. hen the stem 68 has been rotated, however, to close the cook 67 and prevent the further escape of gas to the chamber 70, the locking arm 94: releases the nut so that the cover 88 may be re moved.

From the foregoing description, it will be noted that we have devised a gas propelled motor for acetylene generators which presents numerous points of superiority over devices heretofore employed for actuating the carbide feed of such generators. Because of the structure and arrangement employed, we are enabled to feed carbide uniformly to the generator and to deliver the gas at a substantially uniform pressure. The feeding of carbide, being solely depend ent upon the pressure of the gas generated and the controlling means being extremely sensitive, it is apparent that the pressure variation may be reduced to a minimum and actual operation of a generator constructed in accordance with the foregoing description has demonstrated that the result accomplished is even better than what might be properly expected from a mechanism of this character. The controlling means for the motor has proven extremely sensitive so that the generator may be operated continuously with pressure variations of less than one half pound per square inch.

The structure of the apparatus has been so simplified that it may be readily assembled and will continue in'operation for long periods with slight attention. All of the working parts are enclosed within substantial housings and consequently no tampering with the mechanism is possible. The pressures in the generator casing and motor housing are equalized through the driving connection and no leakage of gas or water is possible. The motor is readily started and may be connected and disconnected at will with the feeding mechanism, of the generator. No stuffing boxes are required in the driving connection between the impeller wheel and the carbide feeding mechanism and consequently, mechanical losses are reduced to a minimum. We have provided, moreover, a simple arrangement for automatically venting the apparatus should the pressure in the delivery line exceed a predetermined maximum and the venting means is actuated from time to time thus insuring that the valve does not stick on its seat and become inoperative. We have also provided a simple arrangement for preventing access to the filter casing while the gas is passing therethrough and consequently the apparatus is rendered entirely safe even inthe hands of relatively unskilled operators.

Various changes may be made in the form, arrangement and construction of the parts and we do not desire, therefore, to be limited to the exact form disclosed, our invention being directed to certain novel and advantageous features as hereinafter enumerated in the claims.

We claim:

1. In an acetylene generator, having a feed mechanism for calcium carbide, a motor for driving said mechanism, including a casing, means for admitting gas to said casing, an impeller wheel, a shaft supporting said wheel and means for conveying a starting impulse to said wheel including a clutch concentric with said shaft and adapted to engage said wheel and means for actuating said clutch.

2. In an acetylene generator, having afeed mechanism for calcium carbide, a motor for driving said mechanism, including a casing, means for admitting gas to said casing. an impeller wheel, a shaft supporting said wheel and means for conveying a starting impulse to said wheel including a sleeve concentric with said shaft and carrying a clutch adapted to engage said wheel, a c011- centric bearing for said shaft within said sleeve, means for retracting said clutch and manually operable means for rotating said sleeve when said clutch and wheel are engaged.

3. In an acetylene generator, having a feed mechanism for calcium carbide, a motor for driving said mechanism, including a casing, means for admitting gas to said casing, an impeller wheel, a shaft supporting said wheel and means for conveying a starting impulse to said wheel including a sleeve concentric with said shaft and carrying a clutch adapted to engage said wheel, a bearing for said shaft within said sleeve, on operating head on said sleeve and a spring be tween said bearing and head to normally hold said clutch in retracted position.

4. In an acetylene generator, having a feed mechanism for calcium carbide, a gas propelled motor for actuating said feed mechanism including a casing, an impeller Wheel therein, means for controlling the passage of gas through said motor, a cover for said casing and means preventing removal of said cover when said controlling means is set to permit the passage of gas.

5. In an acetylene generator, having a feed mechanism for calcium carbide, a gas propelled motor for actuating said feed mechanism including a casing, an impeller wheel therein, a valve for controlling the passage of gas through said motor, a cover for said casing, a fastening for said cover, locking means for said fastening and a connection between the locking means and valve, preventing removal of said cover when gas is passing said valve.

6. In an acetylene generator, having a feed mechanism for calcium carbide, a gas propelled motor for actuating said feed mechanism, including a casing, an impeller wheel therein, a rotatable valve for control ling the passage of gas through said motor, a stem connected to said valve, a cover for said casing, a fastening for said cover and means connected to said stem and controlled by the rotation of said valve to prevent removal of said cover when gas is passing through said motor.

7. In an acetylene enerator, having a feed mechanism for caIcium carbide, a gas propelled motor for actuating said feed mechanism, including a casing, an impeller wheel therein, a rotatable valve for controlling the passage of gas through said motor, a stem connected to said valve, a cover for said casing, a fastening for said cover and means connected to said stem and controlled by the rotation of said valve to prevent removal of said cover when gas is passing through said motor, including a pivoted lever cooperating with the cover fastening, an arm on said stem and a link connecting said arm and lever.

8. In an acetylene generator, having a feedmechanism for calcium carbide, a gas propelled motor for actuating said feedmechanism, including a casing, an impeller wheel therein, a cover for said casing, a pivoted arm adapted to engage said cover to hold it in closed position, a locking device engaging said arm, a valve controlling the passage of gas through said motor and a connection between said valve and locking device to prevent removal of said cover While said valve is open.

9. In an acetylene generator, having a feed mechanism for calcium carbide, a gas propelled motor for actuating said feed mechanism, an outlet for the gas, a pressure releasing device communicating with said outlet, a valve controlling the passage of gas through said motor and means, actuated when said valve is adjusted, to momentarily open the pressure releasing device.

10. In an acetylene generator, having a feed mechanism for calcium carbide, a gas propelled motor for actuating said feed mechanism, an outlet for the gas, a diaphragm actuated pressure releasing valve communieating with said outlet, a valve for controlling the passage of gas through said motor and means, actuated when said valve is adjusted, to momentarily flex said diaphragm.

In testimony whereof We affix our signatures. 3

GEORGE E. ZOUCK. RICHARD F. RUSSELL. 

